REMARKS 

OF 

WILMOT G. DeSAUSSURE, 

PRESIDENT, 
On Offering the Regular Toast of the Day, 

AT THE AnNIVERSAY MEETING, 

4th July, 1884. 



Gentlemen of the State Society of 

THE Cincinnati of South Carolina : 

In rising to propose to you the regular standing toast of 
tliis day, I ask your permission to preface it with some re- 
marks which I would hope may not be uninteresting to you. 

So far as South Carolina is concerned, the controversy 
with Great Britain may be said to have commenced in 1762, 
when Governor Thomas Boone having advised a revision of 
the Election Laws, the Commons House of Assembly of the 
Province declined to make such revision, holding that the 
law as it stood was sufficient. General (then Mr.) Christo- 
pher Gadsden having been elected a member of the Com- 
mons, was presented to Governor Boone, and, the Governor 
refused to recognize the election. Much angry feeling was 
excited, and the Commons House of Assembly protested 
against Governor Boone's action, as an infringement of their 
rights and privileges. By this controversy South Carolina 
was prepared to unite with her Sister Colonies in the Conti- 
nental Congress which assembled in New York upon the 
passage of the Stamp Act in 1764. This Stamp Act was re- 
sisted by all of the Colonies, on the ground that it was an 
attempt to tax them without representation, and was de- 
structive of their rights as freemen. 

Great Britain insisted despite the remonstrances of the 
Colonies, in sending the Stamps to America. " When the 



Stamps arrived in Charleston, nobody would accept the 
office of Receiver, and they were landed in Fort Johnson, 
which at that time was a strong Fortress, but very negligent- 
ly guarded. One hundred and fifty men were secretly or- 
ganized, armed, and sent down in open boats to the Fort, to 
destroy the Stamps, or otherwise get rid of them. They 
surprised the Fort, possessed themselves of the Stamps, 
manned and loaded the heavy cannon, hoisted a flag, and 
were prepared for action by the dawn of day. The Captain 
of the armed ship which brought the Stamps, came to a 
parley with them, and was assured that they would destroy 
the Stamps unless he pledged himself to take them away 
with him immediately, and not land them anywhere in 
America. The condition was acceded to, the pledge given 
and the obnoxious Stamps immediately taken away." John- 
son's Traditions of the Revolution, 13. In all the other Colo- 
nies resistance was made to their reception and use, and 
this with so united and determined spirit, that the ac- 
tion of the Colonies, and the attitude taken by the New 
York Congress induced the Parliament of Great Britain 
to repeal the Act; but the repealing Act contained the 
principle of the right of the mother country to impose 
taxes upon the Provinces. The repeal was recieved with 
great rejoicing in the Colonies, and the bulk of the Col- 
onists supposed that Great Britain had yielded the point. 
Not so, however, with all : some of the more clear sight- 
ed saw the danger which loomed up, and perceived 
that the struggle must recommence, and probably in 
some more threatening manner. The news of the repeal 
was received in Charles Town. " Under a wide spreading 
live oak, a little north of the residence of Christopher Gads- 
den — the Samuel Adams of South Carolina — the patriots 
used to assemble during the summer and autumn of 1765, 
and also the following summer when the Stamp Act was re- 
pealed. There they discussed the political questions of the 
day. From this circumstance the green oak was called, like 
the Great Elm in Boston, Liberty Tree. There Gadsden as- 
sembled some of his political friends after the repeal of the 
Stamp Act in 1766, and while bonfires were blazing, can- 
nons were pealing for joy, and the Legislature of South Car- 
olina was voting a statue in honor of Pitt, he warned them 
not to be deceived by this mere show of justice. His keen 
perception comprehended the Declaratory Act in all its 
deformity, and while others were loud in their praises 
of the King and Parliament, he ceased not to proclaim the 






whole proceeding a deceptive and wicked scheme to lull the 
Americans into a dangerous inactivity. And more; it is 
claimed and generally believed in South Carolina that under 
Liberty Tree, Christopher Gadsden first spoke of American- 
Independence. How early is not known, but supposed to be 
as early as 1764." Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, vol 
2, p. 542. 

. The names of those patriots who used to assemble under that 
old Live Oak or Liberty Tree, should be very dear to the heart 
of every South Carolinian. Under its wide spreading branch- 
es were wont to gather, Christopher Gadsden, John Calvert, 
William Johnson, H. Y. Bookless, Joseph Verree, I. Barlow, 
John FuUerton, Tunis Tebout, James Brown, Peter Mun- 
clear, Nathaniel Lebby, William Trusler, George Flagg, Rob- 
ert Howard, Thomas Coleman, Alexander Alexander, John 
Hall, Edward Weyman, Wdliam Field, Thomas Swaile, 
Robert Jones, William Laughton, John Loughton, Daniel 
Cannon, Uz. Rodgers, Benjamin Hawes. Johnson's Tradi- 
tions of the Revolution. Gibbes' Documentary History. 

All were of the yeomen of the countr}^, chiefly mechanics 
and artisans. These determined patriots, these sturdy lovers 
of liberty, were they who strengthened and upheld, Hey- 
ward. Lynch, Middleton, and Rutledges, in the stand sub- 
sequently taken in the Continental Congress in July 1776, 
when it was declared " that the United Colonies are, and of 
a right ought to be Free and Independent States ; that they 
are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and 
that all political connexion between them and the State of 
Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." 

We of the Cincinnati Society, instituted to perpetuate the 
remembrance of that vast event, owe it as a solemn duty to 
the purposes of our institution, as well as a reverent love for 
those who dared to raise their voices and arms in the assertion 
and maintenance of political freedom, to preserve the mem- 
ories and names of these true patriots, and to transmit them 
to our posterity, that they, too, may join in preserving in ever 
fresh remembrance the names of such noble men. 

In the paper of George Flagg, the survivor of those who 
so assembled, in giving their names and speaking of a meet- 
ing in 1766, he says, " on this occasion the above persons 
invited Mr. Gadsden to join them, and to meet them at an 
oak tree just beyond Gadsden's Green, over the creek at 
Hampstead, to a collation prepared at their joint expense 
for the occasion. Here they talked over the mischiefs which 
the Stamp Act would have induced, and congratulated each 



other on its repeal. On this occasion Mr. Gadsden deliver- 
ed to them an address, stating their rights, and encouraging 
them to defend them against all foreign taxation. Upon 
which, joining hands around the tree, they associated them- 
selves as defenders and supporters of American liberty, and 
from that time the oak was called Liberty Tree, and pub- 
lic meetings were occasionally holden there." Gihheii Doc- 
umentary History, 1764--76, j). 10. 

In this connection, it cannot but be of interest to learn 
what became of this Liberty Tree. Li Johnson's Traditions 
of the Revolution we are told as follows : " The Liberty 
Tree continued to be a favorite place for social and political 
meetings. When the Declaration of Independence was re- 
ceived by Governor Rutledge from Congress, he and his 
privy council determined that it should be proclaimed with 
the most imposing ceremonies ever witnessed at that time 
in South Carolina. The clergy of all denominations, all the 
military that could be paraded were joined by all the civil 
authorities and all the citizens in procession, and all their 
families in carriages proceeded up to this favorite place of 
resort. When Charleston was surrendered to Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, this tree was still in its original beauty. But the name 
and associations in history rendered it an object for destruc- 
tion to the British authorities. The tree was not only cut 
down, but a fire made over the still upright stem, by piling 
its branches around it, that the destruction might be com- 
plete. I remember to have seen the low black stump after 
the Revolution. When the piece of land was purchased by 
Mr. William Dewees, and enclosed for building, the late 
Judge William Johnson, of the Federal Court, requested 
that the root when grubbed up might be given to him. He 
had portions of it cut and turned into cane heads, one of 
which was given by him to President Jefferson, and others 
to different friends. A part of it was sawed into thin boards 
and made into a neat ballot box, which he presented to the 
76 Association. When the great fire of 1838 destroyed 
Mr. Seyle's establishment, at which their Society held their 
meetings, this interesting relic was consumed with the min- 
utes of the Association recording his letter and donation." 

Whenever any of us pass along Charlotte Street, east of 
Alexander, and nearly midway to Washington Street, let 
each one of us remember that we stand on or near the local- 
ity of Liberty Tree, and do silent, but grateful, homage to 
the principles of political liberty there promulged in South 
Carolina, and to the memories of the brave men who there 



dared to associate themselves as defenders and supporters of 
American liberty. 

The keen perception of Christopher Gadsden had truly 
comprehended the Declaratory Act in all its deformity. 
The British government was determined to tax the Colonists, 
and but a few brief years had passed before the determina- 
tion was shown in the tax on tea. 

The consequences which ensued in Boston are well known 
to all of us. But the part which the citizens of South Caro- 
lina took, is possibl}'^ not so well known. Lossing, in his 
Field Book of the Revolution, says : "When tea was sent to 
America under the provisions of a new Act of 1773, the 
South Carolinians were as firm in their opposition to the 
landing of the cargoes for sale, as were the people of Bos- 
ton. It was stored in the warehouses, and there rotted, for 
not a pound was allowed to be sold." 

A crisis was at hand : the determined stand of the Colo- 
nies against the Stamp Act, had led to the repeal of such 
Act : but Great Britain regarded the Colonists as her sub- 
jects, and to be governed as the British Parliament deemed 
best. This second resistance must be crushed out by force 
and the strong hand of power. To accomplish this, the 
Boston Port Bill was enacled, and troops were sent to enforce 
it ; to enforce it, among other ways, by taking from the Col- 
onists their arms and ammunition. Lossing says : " The 
closing of the Port of Boston by Act of Parliament, on the 
1st January, 1774, aroused the indignation and sympathy of 
the South Carolinians, and substantial aid was freely sent to 
the suffering inhabitants of that city." 

Under the teachings of the inspired madman James Otis, 
and the determined spirit of Samuel Adams and others, the 
people of Boston resolved upon resistance, and invited the 
Sister Colonies to meet in Congress, and confer upon the 
course deemed most advisable. Again, let Lossing speak : 
" When the proposition for a general Congress went forth, 
the affirmative voice of South Carolina was among the first 
in response." And Bancroft, says : " As the united Ameri- 
can people spread through the vast expanse over which 
their jurisdiction now extends, be it remembered that the 
blessing of union is due to the warm-heartedness of South 
Carolina. " She was alive and felt at every pore." And 
when we count up those, who, above others, contributed to 
the great result, we are to name the inspired madman James 
Otis, and the great statesman, the magnanimous, unwavering, 
faultless lover of his country, Christopher Gadsden." 



. Of the Boston resolutions, 10th May, 1774, that single- 
hearted, brave old patriot. General William Moultrie, first 
President of our Society, in his " Revolution" says : " On 
the vote being received in Charlestown, a meeting of all the 
inhabitants then in town was requested to meet at the cor- 
ner, when a great number was convened, a chairman was 
chosen, and the vote laid before them. The business was of 
so much consequence that after some conversation, the pres- 
ent meeting thought it best to call as many of the inhabi- 
tants together as they could get, by sending expresses to ev- 
ery part of the country to request their attendance in Charles- 
town on the 6th July, 1774, on business of great importance ; 
accordingly, on that day, a great number met in Charlestown, 
under the Exchange." 

At this meeting of 6th July, 1774, Christopher Gadsden, 
Thomas Lynch, John Rutledge, and Edward Rutledge, were 
appointed as the delegates from South Carolina, to the pro- 
posed Congress to be held in Philadelphia on 5th Septem- 
ber, 1774. Let General Moultrie continue the narrative : he 
says : "The delegates to the Continental Congress having re- 
turned and reported to the Committee of 96, the report was 
considered, and they ' found matters had become more seri- 
ous.' They therefore determined to call a Provincial Con- 
gress, by sending out writs of election to every Parish and 
District, to elect Representatives (agreeably to the election 
law), to meet in Charlestown on 11th January, 1775." "On 
the 11th January, 1775, the gentlemen, who, on the 19th 
ulto., and 9th inst., had been elected deputies by such of its 
inhabitants of this Colony as were qualified to vote for mem- 
bers of the Commons House of Assembly, met in Provincial 
Congress, at Charlestown, where they unanimously chose 
Colonel Charles Pinckney to be President, and Peter Timo- 
thy, a member, to be their Secretary The Provincial Con- 
gress then proceeded to consider " the important affaire of 
the Colony and the present critical situation of America." 
Various important matters were considered, and the 11th 
February was set apart as a day of fasting, humiliation and 
prayer. General Moultrie continues his narrative. " The 
Provincial Congress met at the State House on the 17th 
February, being the day appointed by Coiigress, as a day of 
fasting, humiliation and prayer ; every place of worship in 
Charlestown was crowded with the inhabitants, and Congress 
went to St. Philip's in a body from the State House, agreea- 
bly to their resolve, and most of them in their military 
array ; on entering the church the organ began a solemn 



piece of music, and continued playing until they were seated; 
it was an affecting scene, as every one knew the occasion, 
and all joined in fervent prayer to the Lord, to support and 
defend us, in this our great struggle in the cause of Liberty and 
our Country. And the Rev. Dr. Smith, at the request of 
the Provincial Congress, delivered an excellent and suitable 
discourse upon the occasion, which very much animated the 
men ; whilst the female part of the congregation were affected 
in quite a different manner ; floods of tears rolled down their 
cheeks, from the sad reflection of their nearest and dearest 
friends and relations entering into a dreadful civil war, the 
worst of wars, and, what was most to be lamented, it could 
not be avoided." Drayton says: "On this occasion, the 
Commons House of Assembly, with their mace before them, 
went in procession to St. Philip's Church," &c. 

The Revolution was hastening on apace. In pursuance 
of the determination to disarm the Colonists, General Gage 
sent British troops to seize the Massachusetts stores. The 
battle of Lexington ensued ; the fire of war was kindled to 
blaze through many dreary years, ofttimes smoldering in 
the patriots camp until nearly dying out from want of sup- 
plies, but lighted again and again, until at Yorktown, the 
Independence of the Colonies was achieved by the ring of 
battle fire which encircled the haughty Earl Cornwallis, 
and forced him to capitulate, with his well equipped army 
of British veterans, to the illy clad, and almost famished pa- 
triots, whose zeal in their cause and confidence in its final 
success had long been the only reward, or hope of reward, 
which they did or could expect. 

Let General Moultrie, in his own words, resume the story : 
" In this situation were we when the battle of Lexington 
was fought, without arms or ammunition ; some there were 
in the King's stores, but we could not get them without 
committing some violent act. A few gentlemen went to 
Captain Cochran (the King's storekeeper), and demanded 
the keys of him ; lie said : ' He could not give them up, 
neither could he hinder them from breaking open the doors ;' 
this hint was enough ; there was no time for hesitation ; and 
that night a number of gentlemen went and broke open the 
doors and carried away to their own keeping 1200 good 
stand of arms ; Lieutenant Governor Bull offered a reward 
of one hundred pounds sterling to any person who would 
discover the persons concerned in the business ; but to no 
purpose. 

"We had now got the arms, but no ammunition; the next 



8 

thing to be done was breaking open of the magazines ;as we 
were fairly entered into the business, we could not step back, 
and the next day we broke open the magazines and found 
in that at Hobca 1700 pounds, at the ship yard 600 pounds, 
some little at Fort Charlotte, in the back country, and in 
private stores, the whole making about 3000 pounds, which 
was all we had to begin the great Revolution. * * In 
consequence of the battle of Lexington, the General Com- 
mittee immediately summoned the Provincial Congress to 
meet on the first day of June. * * On our first meeting 
they determined upon a defensive war : and on the fourth 
day it was resolved to raise two regiments of five hundred 
men each. * * The day after the officers of the first and 
second regiments were balloted for, it was resolved to raise 
a regiment of Cavalry Rangers of five hundred men." 

Speaking of the course pursued by South Carolina, Loss- 
ing says : " Having resolved on rebellion, the people of 
Charleston were not afraid to commit acts of legal treason." 

The South Carolinians having by their acts of legal trea- 
son obtained some military stores, were not niggard in shar- 
ing with the sister Colonies. Boston was beleaguered by the 
American army, and the need of ammunition was very 
great. South Carolina was threatened by an Indian war, 
stirred up by British emissaries. But the South Carolina 
warm-heartedness, of which Bancroft speaks, led her of her 
scant and urgently needed supply, to furnish, at least, a part 
to the army around Boston. John Adams, writing to his 
wife on 30th July, 1775, says that " four or five tons (powder) 
have arrived from South Carolina." 

The seizure of the arms and ammunition, and the raising of 
troops in South Carolina, was succeeded by the organization 
of a civil government. General Moultrie again tells : " The 
Provincial Congress having now raised troops, it w^as neces- 
sary to have some civil executive body to carry on the busi- 
ness of the Colony, during the recess of Congress ; according- 
ly the following thirteen gentleman were elected as a 
Ciouncil of Safety, viz., Colonel Henry Laurens, Colonel 
Charles Pinckney, the Honorable Rawlins Lowndes, Thom- 
as Ferguson, Miles Brewton, Arthur Middleton. Thomas 
Heyward Jr., Thomas Bee, John Huger, Colonel James Par- 
sons, Honorable William Henry Drayton, Benjamin Elliott 
and William Williamson. The Committee of Safety had 
great power and authority vested in them ; the entire com- 
mand of the army, to contract debts, to stamp and issue 
money, to liquidate and pay all accounts, and to sign com- 
missions for the army and navy." 



9 

.Of this organization, Lossing says : " With this organiza- 
tion, civil government upon a republican basis was begun." 

In the autumn and winter of 1775-6 the Indian War 
stirred up by the British emissaries broke upon the frontiers, 
and the South Carolina troops, under the directions of the 
Committee of Safety, successfully conducted the " snow cam- 
paign," and restored peace and safety. 

Events were hastening ; the Colonies were obliged to see 
that they must establish governments for themselves, and 
accordingly on 26th March, 1776, South Carolina adopted a 
constitution by which the Royal Government ceased, and a 
republican State government, under a President chosen by 
the State, became the civil and political establishment of 
the from thenceforth no longer Province, but State of South 
Carolina. In the address to the President John Rutledge, 
which immediately succeeded the adoption, this language is 
used : "We, the Legislative Council and General Assembly 
of South Carolina, convened under the authority of the equit- 
able constitution of government, established by a free people 
in Congress, &c. 

Colonel Carrington, in his Battles of the Revolution, speak- 
ing of this, says : " South Carolina thus boldly led the way 
to General Independence by asserting her own under John 
Rutledge as President, with Henry Laurens as Vice Presi- 
dent, and William Henry Drayton as Chief Justice. An 
army and navy were created ; Privy Council and Assembly 
were elected, and the issue of $600,000 of paper money was 
authorized, as well as the issue of coin ; ancl the first Repub- 
lic of the New World began its life. * * * Massachu- 
setts had begun the year with substantial freedom ; South 
Carolina put all the machinerj^ of a nation into operation 
with the opening of Spring." 

Flattering as it would be to believe that our State was the 
first Republic of the New World, yet regard for historical 
truth requires me to say, that the statement is chronologi- 
cally incorrect. Far away among the granite hills of New 
Hampshire, the Congress or Convention of that Province, on 
5th January, 1776, had adopted a constitution substantially, 
although far more tersely worded, the same as that adopted 
by South Carolina on 26th March, 1776. To the patriots, 
therefore, of New Hampshire, must be accorded chronologi- 
cal priority in this vast event. South Carolina quickly fol- 
lowed, and probably organized more fully. 

It will not be uninteresting to you to state here, that in 
the issue of money, ordered on 2()th June, 1775, to be made 



10 

by South Carolina, the device and motto for the £5 note was: 
" Device, a bundle of rods or arrows tied together, repre- 
senting the twelve United Colonies of America. Motto — 
Auspicium Salutis — 1775." 

Of the events which succeeded, it is not now practicable 
to tell. Time forbids, and some member Ijetter able should 
gather these together, as the contribution of the (Cincinnati 
of South Carolina to the history of the State. A history 
comparatively little written, and that little so scattered, that 
patient toil is necessary to gather the fragments into some- 
thing like a connected narrative. We are associated " to 
perpetuate the remembrance of the vast event," and it has 
been thought not inappropriate, on this day, to group 
together, in something like connected order, the part which 
South Carolina took in the inauguration of the vast event. 
What she did during the struggle which followed, should 
also be gathered. After the capitulation of Charleston, in 
May, 1880, Lowell, in his '' Hessians in the Revolution," 
says : " These States were now given up to plunder and 
blood. The war in the Carolinas and Virginia was marked 
by a degree of barbarity which had no parallel in the East- 
ern or Middle States, except in the small plundering expe- 
ditions in the neighborhood of New York. Already, in the 
preceding year, Prevost's soldiers had begun this barbarous 
style of warfare. The marks of their plundering were visible 
in every house on the islands they had occupied near 
Charleston." Overrun, plundered, bleeding, absolutely pros- 
trate at the feet of a ruthless and cruel foe, let some one of 
our members take up the story of the State's redemption by 
the valor and devotion of her sons ; let him begin at that 
first blow struck at Beckhamville by McClure and his brave 
compatriots, that first blow, wdiich successful, taught the 
haughty invaders that — 

" Freedom's battles once begun, bequeathed from bleeding sire to son, 
Though baffled oft, is ever won." 

Let him follow those achievements up to the memorable 
day so feelingly, yet simply told of by our revered first Presi- 
dent, Gen. Moultrie, as follows : " On Saturday, the 14th of 
December, 1782, the British troops evacuated Charleston, 
after having possession two years, seven months and two 
days. The evacuation took place in the following manner : 
Brig. Gen. Wayne w^as ordered to cross Ashley River with 
three hundred light infantry and eighty of Lee's cavalry, 
and twenty artillery, with two six-pounders ; to move down 



11 

towards the British lines, which was near CoL Shubrick's, 
and consisted of three redoubts. Gen. Leslie, who command- 
ed in town, sent a message to Gen. Wayne, informing him 
that he would next day leave the town, and for the peace 
and security of the inhabitants of the town, would propose 
to leave their advanced works next day at the firing of the 
morning gun ; at which time Gen. Wayne should move on 
slowly and take possession, and from thence to follow the 
British troops into town, keeping at a respectful distance, 
(say about 200 yards,) and when the British troops, after 
passing through the town gate, should file off to Gadsden's 
wharf. Gen. Wayne was to proceed into town, which was 
done with great order and regularitj'', except now and then 
the British called to Gen. Wayne that he came too last upon 
them, which occasioned him to halt a little. About 11 
o'clock, A. M., the American troops marched into town and 
took post at the State House. 

At 3 o'clock, A. M., Gen. Greene conducted Gov. Mathewes 
and the Council, with some others of the citizens, into town. 
We marched in in the following order : An advance of an 
officer and thirty of Lee's dragoons ; then followed the Gov- 
ernor and Gen. Greene ; the next two were Gen. Gist and 
myself; after us followed the Council, citizens and officers, 
making altogether about fifty. One hundred and eighty 
cavalry brought up the rear. We halted on Broad street, 
opposite where the South Carolina Bank now stands. There 
we alighted, and the cavalry discharged to quarters. After- 
wards, every one went where they pleased ; some in viewing 
the town, others in visiting their friends. li was a grand 
and pleasing sight to see the enemy's fleet (upwards of three 
hundred sail), lying at anchor from Fort Johnson to Five 
Fathom Hole, in a curved line, as the current runs, and 
what made it more agreeable, they were ready to depart from 
the soil. The great joy that was felt on this day by the citi- 
zens and soldiers was inexpressible. The widows, the 
orphans, the aged men and others, who, from their particu- 
lar situation, were obliged to remain in Charleston, many of 
whom had been cooped up in one room of their elegant 
houses for upwards of two years, whilst the other parts were 
occupied by the British officers, many of whom were a rude, 
uncivil set of gentlemen, their situations, and the many 
mortifying circumstances occurred to them in that time, 
must have been truly distressing. I cannot forget that hap- 
py day when we marched into Charleston with the Ameri- 
can troops ; it was a proud day to me, and I felt myself 



12 

much elated at seeing the balconies, the doors, the windows 
crowded with the patriotic fair, the aged citizens and others, 
congratulating us on our return home, saying " God bless 
you, gentlemen ! You are welcome home, gentlemen." Both 
citizens and soldiers shed mutual tears of joy. It was an 
ample reward for the triumphant soldier, after all the haz- 
ards and fatigues of war, which he had gone through, to be 
the instrument of releasing his friends and fellow citizens 
from captivity and restoring to them their liberty, and pos- 
session of their city and country again," 

And in telling of it, let him record as fully as he can how 
under Marion, Sumter, Pickens, Harden, the citizen soldiers 
bore privations and hardships, almost unparalleled ; how 
the. women and children with unflinching bravery endured 
every kind of ruthless, wanton cruelty which a barbarous 
enemy could put upon them, and cheered their husbands, 
parents, brothers and friends to persevere in the cause, and 
to strike, and again strike, until the great cause in which 
they had pledged themselves, their fortunes and their sa- 
cred honors, had triumphed. 

When these are gathered by your instrumentality, the 
Cincinnati of South Carolina will have shewn that not in 
vain are they associated to perpetuate the remembrance of 
that great event. And by the instrumentality of its mem- 
bers, it will be shewn, not merely as a vague tradition, but 
by the certain light of history, that South Carolina, in that 
great contest for political liberty, bore her full, and honor- 
able share, not only in its conception and inception, but in 
its full and final consummation. 

The declaration of Independence was received in Charles- 
ton in the latter part of July, 1776, and its promulgation is 
noticed in the South Carolina and American Gazette, Au- 
gust 2 to 14, 1776, as follows : " Charlestown, August 14. 
On Monday last week the declaration of Independence was 
proclaimed here amidst the acclamation of a vast concourse 
of people." Moultrie says : " At the latter end of July the 
Declaration of Independence arrived in Charlestown, and 
was read at the head of the troops in the field by Major 
Barnard Elliott ; after which an oration was delivered bv 
Rev. Mr. Percy." 

You will doubtless be interested in hearing how this an- 
niver.sary was celebrated in Charleston on its first recurrence. 
It is thus noticed in the South Carolina and American 
Gazette, of July, 1777: 



13 

" Charleston, July 10. 

Last Friday, July 4th, being the anniversary of that 
memorable cUty of American Independence, was ushered in 
with ringing of bells and a general display of the American 
colors on all the forts and shipping ; the Charleston militia 
and artillery were reviewed by his Excellency, the Presi- 
dent, accompanied by his Honor, the Vice-President, their 
honorable members of the Privy Council, etc. At one o'clock, 
the great guns of the different forts (Fort Moultrie begin- 
ning) were fired to the number of seventy-six, alluding to 
the year 1776, when the thirteen United States emancipated 
themselves from the British j^oke. An elegant entertain- 
ment was given at the Council Chambers by his Excellency, 
the President, to such members of the Legislature as were 
in town, to the clergy, civil and military officers, and a 
number of other gentlemen. After dinner, the following 
thirteen toasts were given, each accompanied by thirteen 
discharges from the field pieces belonging to Capt. Grim- 
ball's Artillery Company : 

1. The free, independent and sovereign States of America. 

2. The Great Council of America — may wisdom preside 
in all its deliberations. 

3. General Washington. 

4. The American Army and Navy — May they be victo- 
rious and invincible. 

5. The nations in alliance with America. 

6. American Ambassadors at Foreign Courts. 

7. The 4th July, 1776. 

8. The memory of the officers and soldiers who have 
bravely fallen in defence of America. 

9. South Carolina. 

10. May only those Americans enjoy freedom who are 
ready to die in its defence. 

11. Liberty triumphant. 

12. Confusion, shame and disgrace to our enemies. May 
the foes to America (slaves to tyranny) tremble and fall 
before her. 

13. May the rising States of America reach the summit 
of human power and grandeur, and enjoy every blessing. 

In the evening there were illuminations and fireworks, 
and the whole happily concluded without the least accident 
or disturbance." 



14 

The following, taken from the South Carolina Gazette, 5th 
July, 1783, will shew how the first anniversary, after the 
close of the war, of the day we are now met to commemorate, 
was celebrated by those who took part in the great struggle; 
It is as follows : 

" Charleston, 5th July, (1783.) 

Yesterday, the 4th of July, afforded a spectacle equally 
awful and grand. The inhabitants of the whole continent 
of America eagerly devoted in commemorating the anniver- 
sar}^ of the greatest revolution that ever took place — the ex- 
pulsion of tyranny and slavery, and the introduction of free- 
dom, happiness and independency throughout the greatest 
continent in the world. We may venture to say, the people 
of South Carolina were not behind their brethren in the 
sister States in demonstrating the happiness they feel from 
the full completion of the grand work of Independence. 
The morning was not ushered in with the ringing of bells, 
for amongst other property wantonly and wickedly taken 
away by the British, these made a part ; but the glowing 
and happy countenances of our patriot citizens, and patriot 
soldiers, arising from a conscious dignity derived from per- 
fect freedom, (and that freedom the purchase of their own 
valor), gladdened in the day, which, as if Heaven smiled 
propitiously on it, was rendered very fine by a cool easterly 
breeze. 

At half past nine, the militia and a detachment of the 
Continental Artillery, with field pieces and a band of music, 
colors, &c., paraded in Meeting Street, and then took their 
station in Broad Street, for the purpose of receiving his Ex- 
cellency the Governor, who, with the Privy Council, Major- 
General Greene, General Gist, all the civil officers of the 
State and a number of ofhcers of the Army, assembled at 
the house of the Hon. William Hasell Gibbes, Esq., from 
which, about eleven, they proceeded in the following order : 
His Excellency the Governor, preceded by the Sheriff with 
the Sword of State ; the Messenger of Council bearing a Tip- 
staff; Major-General Greene, General Gist, the Privy Coun- 
cil, and the officers of the State, &c., walked in front of the 
artillery and militia, who received the procession with pre- 
sented arms ; the officers saluting his Excellency as he passed 
along the line. A feu de joie was then fired, after which, 
his Excellency, attended by the above, and other gentlemen, 
retired to his own h(.)use, where the company were regaled 
with. a very elegant cold collation. 

About three o'clock a most numerous compan}^ assembled 



15 

at the State House, for the purpose of dining with the Gov- 
ernor ; amongst whom were the above gentlemen, many of 
the members of both Houses, and most of the officers of the 
Southern Army and of the miUtia. The dinner, which was 
elegant and plentiful, and the liquors remarkably good, 
were served up about four ; after which the following toasts 
were given : 

1. The United States of America. Artillery firing thir- 
teen rounds, music playing, God save the thirteen States. 

2. May this State be as wise, happy and great, as free, 
sovereign and independent. Artillery thirteen. The band 
playing. 

3. The Congress. Artillery thirteen. The band playing, 
Jove in his chair. 

4. Our generous and illustrious Ally, His most Christian 
Majesty. Artillery thirteen. The band playing, the King 
of France's Guard March. 

5. The United Provinces of Holland. Artillery thirteen. 
The band playing. 

6. His Excellency General Washington and the Army, 
thanks to them, and may they be enabled to retire with sat- 
isfaction from the field of victory and glory they have gained 
with a bravery, perseverance and patriotic virtue, unparal- 
leled in any history extant. Artillery thirteen. The band 
playing, The Hero comes. 

7. Our Ministers abroad. Artillery thirteen. The band 
playing. 

8. With agriculture, commerce and liberty, may morality, 
learning and science flourish. Artillery thirteen. The band 
playing. 

9. May we profit by the errors of those nations who have 
experienced the effects of ambition, vain glory, tyranny, de- 
ceit and treachery. Artillery thirteen. The band playing. 

10. May candor, truth, good faith, justice, honor, and be- 
nevolence, ever be the characteristics of the United States of 
America. Artillery thirteen. Band playing. 

11. May there be no strife among the United States, sav- 
ing that of excelling each other in a wise policy. Artillery 
thirteen. Band playing. 

12. This glorious day, by which we have secured among 
the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to 
which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle us. 
Artillery thirteen. Band playing. 

13. A lasting and happy peace, and to the memory of our 



2215 CONGRES: 




16 



011 801 524 



patriotic brethren, who greatly fell in obtaining it, by sea or 
land. Artillery firing thirteen minute guns, the band play- 
ing a very solemn dirge, for the space of thirteen minutes. 

A number of other excellent toasts were given, among 
them the two following, which we shall endeavor to collect 
for the next paper. 

The supporters of liberty and the rights of mankind 
throughout the world. 

May the harmony of the day be not interrupted with 
quarrels, tumults or licentiousness. 

At night a grand display of fireworks was exhibited at 
the 'Change, under the direction of Col. Senf, in the front of 
which were placed several emblematical devices, with per- 
tinent inscriptions ; the execution of the whole did honor to 
the taste of the Colonel, and gave great satisfaction to the 
spectators. 

The city was grandly illuminated, and the day ended with 
great happiness and pleasure, no accident having happened. 

Gentlemen of the State Society of the Cincinnati of South 
Carolina, I ask leave to propose to you, the regular toast of 
this day — 

" The 4th July, 1776." 



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